June 2017

It’s that time of the year again! It’s nice and warm out, outdoor activities are in full swing, but so are the bugs! Bugs like… Those nasty mosquitos. They make you itch, and scratch and they leave those horrendous bumps.

I’ve always bought the go-to brands like OFF Deep Woods. But the smell made me sick, the chemicals in toxic bug sprays are terrible for your skin and the smell lingers FOREVER.

Why are toxic bug repellents like OFF so bad for you?

DEET

DEET is one of the most widely used chemicals as a mosquito repellent. While the use of DEET in lower concentrations is considered safe, when used in concentrations greater than 50 percent, DEET can produce skin irritation. Eye irritation is also common. DEET can also penetrate the skin and can, in rare instances, affect the central nervous system. In some individuals, slurred speech, confusion and seizures have occurred. These symptoms are most commonly associated with long-term, excessive exposure or improper use. Whoa! That’s super scary… especially if you are using it regularly.

Permethrin

“Permethrin” is another repellent intended for treating clothing and other items, such as tents, sleeping bags and other gear made of fabric. Permethrin can cause eye irritation. While “pyrethroid” chemicals directly affect the nervous system of insects, it’s unknown how these chemicals will affect humans, so care should be taken and you should follow the directions carefully. The Environmental Protection Agency has also classified “permethrin” as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans” if ingested. Hmmm…

P-mentane-3,8-diol

“P-menthane-3,8-diol” may have some associated health hazards. The Environmental Protection Agency has found that long-term skin exposure produces microscopic kidney lesions as well as skin redness and swelling. Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency states that one study found “p-menthane-3,8-diol”may cause genetic damage. So if you plan on being outside every day, the toxic choice isn’t the best choice.. nor is it the only choice!

Metofluthrin

California Department of Pesticide Regulation Report 2007-6 indicates that there was a possible increase in liver tumors and liver necrosis in rat and mice in toxicity studies. That’s a lot!!!

So how can you stop buying your typical toxic bug repellent?

Well, the good news is that you can make your own at home! The key is essential oils. And lots of them!

Dilute with some distilled water. (Distilled is specific) Do not spray directly on faces. Instead, spray in your hands and then rub onto your face, avoiding your eyes and mouth.
The best protection against mosquito-borne illness is avoidance. If you can, remain indoors during their peak hours (dawn and dusk).
This spray is not waterproof/sweat-proof, so you will need to apply again hourly to ensure continued protection. Citronella is what is commonly used to repel mosquitos as well as peppermint. Once this mix has soaked into your skin, those mosquitos will HATE the smell and won’t even go near you, let alone bite you!

This summer, Maid My Day wants you to make the right choice! If you don’t want to make your own, there are other natural- in store options you can find! Here are some favorites:

Magic Erasers have been around for years now. They’re a magical piece of foam that can tackle some weird, unexpected things.

I always wondered what, exactly, made up a magic eraser? So I did so research and uncovered some interesting things about them.

What are magic erasers and what are they originally used for?

Magic erasers are made from melamine foam. Melamine is usually used in insulating and soundproofing studios.
But one day, someone discovered it can also remove some pretty hardcore marks and stains. Magic erasers ARE abrasive sponges because when melamine resin cures into foam, its microstructure becomes almost as hard as glass — causing it to act like a SUPER-fine sandpaper on stains.

This abrasive foam loosens up dirt and grime, and the open microstructure of the foam sucks it in and traps it there…weird…but cool, right?! Who knew?

The only catch about magic erasers is that they are like pencil erasers. With more and more use, they break down and fall apart.

You get as much use out of them if you cut one in half, then cut each piece in 5ths, as you do with a full one…but that’s a waste.

Are Magic Erasers Safe?

Ingredients in Magic Erasers have been safely and commonly used in a wide range of household cleaning products and are considered non-toxic.

No ingredients are subject to any health-related labeling laws in North America or in Europe.

Formaldehyde is not and never has been an ingredient in Magic Eraser, but one ingredient in Magic Eraser (formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer) contains the word “formaldehyde” in its chemical name. However, this ingredient is not formaldehyde and poses no health or safety risks

Where can these awesome “erasers” be used?

My most favorite way to use these bad boys is on scuff marks around the house like on white baseboards and walls.

Here are some other uses:

Remove marker, pen, and crayons off the walls and furniture.

Remove sticky labels from glass jars so you can reuse them

Clean scuff marks and dirt residue from fiberglass tubs

You can use it on leather to remove dirt, and pen marks from leather purses

Shower soap scum (it helps when used with a good soap scum fighting product

Use it as an eraser for a dry erase board. (It cleans all the marker residue SO well. It makes whiteboards look brand new again) Also, it removes permanent marker

And one last one, polish tarnished silver!

If you’ve never cleaned with a magic eraser, go to a local Wal-Mart or find them online on Amazon! Our cleaners at Alpine Maids and Cosmic Maids LOVE magic erasers for those stubborn, hard to clean tubs.